Tag: 1st Corinthians 4
Imitating leadership!
Scripture reading for July 11th: 1st Corinthians 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Corinthians 4:11-13, 16. “To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. . . .Therefore I urge you to imitate me.”
The Apostle Paul lived a life that could be imitated because he was filled with the Holy Spirit and lived by God’s word. This life did not result in everyone liking him or honoring him. It did not result in prosperity of things in this world or even enough food or a guaranteed place to stay! He was slandered and persecuted. He worked hard to provide for his own needs and always tried to respond to each case of ill treatment with Christ’s love and wisdom. The world of that time treated him like the ‘scum of the earth’ or ‘refuse of the world.’
Observations for over-comers: We follow in the footsteps of great over-comers. Let us never forget their courage and Christ-like examples, but leave an example for the next generation, should Jesus tarry! “He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.” (Proverbs 2:7-8)
Not talk but power!
Scripture reading for July 10th: 1st Corinthians 4
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love with a gentle spirit?” (1st Corinthians 4:10-11)
Paul considered the Corinthians believers as his own spiritual children. Through the preaching of the Gospel, he had laid a strong foundation for their spiritual walk and become their ‘father’. Their worldly behavior was bringing them into danger so he wrote to warn them and call them to imitate his own spiritual walk. This walk included hardship, suffering, ridicule, slander, and fear of death! (1st Corinthians 4:9-13) In spite of this, Paul worked hard and blessed those who sought to mistreat him! His life demonstrated the spiritual power of Jesus Christ living in him and helping him to show the fruit of love for the lost who would harm him.
The kingdom of God is not just a matter of words and spiritual ideas, but it is a kingdom of power! Christ Jesus enables His followers to live largely and generously in a hostile world. They live by the power of the Spirit indwelling them and love all in order to win them to Christ. This is how Paul urged his spiritual children to follow Christ! Does your live exhibit the power of Christ? Are you just talking the talk, or walking the walk of power through following the Holy Spirit! Will Christ come to you with a whip? Or love with a gentle spirit?